Stephen A Smith defends Don Lemon, calls arrest a First Amendment violation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sports media personality Stephen A Smith spoke out in defense of Independent journalist Don Lemon following his arrest this week. Smith emphasized that, regardless of opinions about him, Lemon is undeniably a member of the press and deserves to be treated as such.

Smith also noted that just because Lemon doesn’t work for a major media outlet doesn’t make him an easy target during chaotic protests. He highlighted Lemon’s 30-year career in journalism, stressing that decades of experience and dedication cannot simply be dismissed.

Lemon was taken into custody by federal authorities after covering a protest at a church in St Paul, Minnesota. Smith criticized the arrest, suggesting it raises troubling questions about press freedom and the treatment of journalists covering sensitive events.

Stephen A Smith slams arrest, defends Don Lemon’s journalistic rights 

The ESPN host Stephen A Smith said Don Lemon was acting in his capacity as a journalist, and therefore, his detention raises serious concerns about press freedom.

"Whether you like it or not, Don Lemon is a member of the press. Don Lemon has been in journalism for 30 years. Don Lemon worked at CNN for 17 years. And just because you don’t have a specific organization that you’re working for, that’s where the word independence comes from. It doesn’t mean that your journalism credentials are stripped," Smith said. "Not when you’ve been doing it for decades like him. This is straight BS what he’s going through. I’m a member of the press too. And ain’t no way in hell anyone in the field of journalism shouldn’t be supporting Don Lemon today. And that’s including anyone on the right. Anybody in journalism."

"I’m not saying it was wise, I’m not saying I would have done it. I’m not saying he should have walked into a church to do interviews and stuff like that for a couple of minutes. But it don’t warrant this. You support this, you don’t support the First Amendment. You don’t support freedom of the press," he said.

Smith spoke after Lemon was arrested while covering a St Paul church protest over immigration. The host stressed that regardless of personal opinions on Lemon’s actions, the treatment of a seasoned journalist in this manner sets a dangerous precedent for press rights.

Don Lemon’s arrest throws a spotlight on Journalism

The former CNN star was arrested in Los Angeles on Friday, January 30. Lemon faces charges that include planning with others to take someone’s constitutional rights and breaking parts of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. 

These charges are connected to an incident at a church in St Paul, Minnesota. The event happened more than a week earlier, on January 18, when Lemon went with a group of anti‑ICE protesters into Cities Church during a church service.

Video from the scene shows the protesters shouting “ICE out” and interrupting the church service.

Lemon, who works as an independent journalist, maintained that he was covering the event in a reporting capacity rather than participating in the protest. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Lemon said, "I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group. … I’m a journalist."